A year of cycling: what you can expect
Each season and every month has its own challenges and advantages for cyclists. We’ve collected tips for all 12 months, so you’ll never need to leave the bike at home a single day!
October
It is getting darker again, and cycling without good visible lights is extremely unsafe. But did you also know that bike lights must meet certain requirements? One is that your back light must be red, and it must not flash. And if you want to attach loose bike lights to your body, they are only allowed on your chest and back. Your bike light by the front wheel must be white or yellow and mustn’t flash either. You can find a list of all the rules on the Government of the Netherlands website.
November
Autumn is well and truly here. The time of any Indian Summer has passed, and that means a greater chance of rain. But you won’t let that deter you, will you? The real diehards come to the fore now. And if not, ta-da, here you can find the best ponchos! This online shop specializes in outdoor clothes, bags and much more. Their name says it all: Love For Rain. As we say in the Netherlands: you are not made of sugar after all.
December
By cycling you experience more relaxation even in resting state. You will be better able to handle the busy December month!
January
With a bit of luck, Jack Frost will have visited us this month. When the temperature is around freezing, and the sun is bright in the blue sky, a bike ride is a joy. Your regular route suddenly looks very different after a night of frost. The councils salt the cycle paths for a safe ride, but if you want to double check before you leave, you can find up-to-date salting information on this website.
February
It might be chilly out there, but it’s easy to dress for the cold. Wear layers, mittens, a hat, and what about that old Dutch custom of putting sandwich bags over your socks. Give it a try! Oh and an additional benefit of the cold is that you burn even more calories, and in this carnival month, that could come in quite handy for some.
March
We’re heading for spring! And no matter how lovely winter can be, at a certain point we are all ready for a bit of sun and warmer temperatures. We get a bit more energy in spring, which naturally makes it easier for us to work on our fitness levels (and perhaps your summer-ready body!). If you have an e-bike, try using a little less power and cycle yourself fit.
April
If you would like to have some inspiration when it comes to cheerful bikes, browse on the internet. There, you will find everything to decorate your bike; fancy bells, saddle covers, handlebar decorations and much more.
MAY
The month of May is cycling month! It’s with good reason that the national Cycle to Work Day is held this month (next year on May 23 to be precise). But why not make a Cycle to Work Month of it? Because as well as being good for your body, cycling is also good for your brain. Your brain produces endorphins when exercising, filling you with feelings of happiness and euphoria. So this month, you’ll be whistling as cheerfully as the birds.
June
Spring has that distinctly summery feeling in June. And you can use your cycling commute to make the most of the fine weather. How? Variation is key. Many roads lead to the office. So if the weather is nice, it’s great to cycle a different route. It will keep cycling fun, and you’ll also discover a bit more of the surrounding area. This site will help you plan a new route – out and about in the lovely natural scenery of the province of North Brabant!
July
Summer is magic! Once people own a good bike or e-bike, they often take it with them on holiday. And why not? Make sure you cover a few things first: before you go, check where you can charge your bike, whether your bike needs to be serviced, and how you transport your bike with a special bike rack. The ANWB has some good suggestions, check them out here.
August
Phew, it’s a sweltering 30 degrees out there. It’s going to be a hot and sticky ride to work! Rightly so, many people say they don’t want to arrive at work dripping with sweat. Luckily, you can take a refreshing shower at the ASML campus. Take a look at here where the showers are located.
September
The summer holidays are coming to an end. You may have used your bike a lot less for the last few weeks. If so, it’s a good idea to have your bike checked over properly before you go back to work or take your kids to school. You can take it to a bike shop or check yourself that your bike is still in good working order. If you take your bike to campus, you can get your bike checked for free at the mobile repair bus. Check the dates on the Access&Mobility Sharepoint.
